Rolex Sydney Hobart- Wild Oats XI just heads Loyal in opening stanzas

With the thunder of media helicopters at the 69th start of the blue water classic, Wild Oats XI won the stare down at the start of the 2013 Rolex Sydney Hobart with rival Perpetual Loyal, the former Speedboat.

With the wind coming from the east south east, at 15-18 knots, a reaching start. Bob Oatley's Wild Oats XI was expected to blast off the line from the pin end.

By the Zulu seamark the final clearing mark before heading south, Loyal had climbed into second place.

When she first tacked back towards the coast Wild Oats XI covered her and as she went out, then they separated as Wild Oats XI headed inshore and Loyal stayed wide. Outside of her was Ragamuffin and Beau Geste.